Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Ithaca, New York
69.9% Acceptance Rate
Ithaca College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.9%Acceptance Rate
1285Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$66,162Annual Cost
$63,548Grad Salary
19%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.9%
Avg SAT
1285
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1190–1370
ACT Middle 50%
27–31
Need-Based Aid
19% receive Pell
Ithaca College is a private, comprehensive institution in New York renowned for its vibrant campus community, academic excellence, and focus on experiential learning. With a strong reputation in fields like communications, music, and health sciences, the college fosters an environment where students engage in rigorous intellectual inquiry and creative practice. Its emphasis on professional preparation, combined with a deep commitment to the liberal arts, makes it a premier choice for students seeking a well-rounded and professionally transformative educational experience.
Ithaca College Acceptance Rate
At 69.9%, admission to Ithaca College is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Ithaca College Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 69.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Ithaca College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Ithaca College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 92 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
December 1
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Ithaca College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Ithaca College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Ithaca College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Ithaca College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Ithaca College Without SAT or ACT?
Ithaca College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Ithaca College Average SAT Score: 1285
Admitted students at Ithaca College average a 1285 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1285 — Slightly Competitive
A 1285 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1370 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Ithaca College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1190? A retake is worth it at Ithaca College — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1285 | 1190 | 1370 |
A score under 1190 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1370+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Ithaca College with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Ithaca College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Ithaca College ACT Requirements
Ithaca College's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 25 | 28 |
| ACT English | 30 | 26 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 27 | 31 |
Can I get into Ithaca College with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Ithaca College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Ithaca College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Ithaca College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Ithaca College isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Submit both the Common/Coalition App AND Acceptd for performing arts
Pre-screen materials won't be evaluated until both applications are received - treat this as two parallel application tracks.
Prepare pre-screen materials for Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, or Voice
These programs require a successful pre-screen before you're even invited to schedule a live audition.
Plan around ED or RD, not EA, for performing arts
Early Action isn't offered for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance - use Early Decision (Nov 1) or Regular Decision (Dec 1) instead.
Answer the supplemental essay with real programmatic detail
Ithaca's prompt asks what you love about your chosen major - name specific resources, faculty, or opportunities rather than general enthusiasm.
Expert Insight:
Applicants to performing arts or communications programs sometimes assume the general college acceptance rate (around 70%) reflects their odds - Music, Theatre, and Communications admissions are considerably more competitive and involve separate program-specific review.
Ithaca College Profile
Full Name
Ithaca College
City
Ithaca
State
New York
ZIP Code
14850-7002
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Ithaca College Degree Worth It?
At $66,162/year against a $63,548 median graduate salary, Ithaca College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $77,400, and graduates see a 3.01% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Ithaca College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $66,162/year at Ithaca College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Ithaca College, 19% receive a Pell Grant and 64.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Ithaca College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Ithaca College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Ithaca College graduates report a median income of $63,548, about 57% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ithaca College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ithaca College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ithaca College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Ithaca College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Ithaca College Admissions
Ithaca College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,548/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Ithaca College runs high — roughly $66,162+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
19.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Ithaca College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Ithaca College's acceptance rate is 69.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
Ithaca College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1285, and within the 1190–1370 range, keeps you competitive.
Ithaca College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01 — that's Ithaca College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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